Greene County Extension and Outreach and the Jefferson tree committee are bringing two meetings about the emerald ash borer to Greene County on April 28. One meeting targets the general public, and a second specialized meeting targets elected officials and public/municipal employees in the county.
Topics covered will include how to prepare for the pest, ash tree and emerald ash borer identification, assessing tree health, as well as treatment options and updates on infestation and tree removal regulations. The meetings are being co-sponsored by Greene County Extension and Outreach and the Jefferson tree committee.
The presentations will be given by ISU Extension and Outreach entomologist Mike Shour, Iowa Department of Natural Resources forester George Warford, and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship entomologist Mike Kintner.
The public meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8 pm at Clover Hall on the Greene County Fairgrounds. No RSVP is required. Doors will open at 6 pm, and there will be time for questions and answers.
Meanwhile, a focused meeting for elected officials (both city and county) and public/municipal employees will be held earlier in the day, from 1 to 3:30 pm at the Greene County Extension office. RSVPs are requested for the public official meeting in case there needs to be change of venue to accommodate numbers. Both meetings are free of charge, thanks to the two sponsoring organizations, including the experts’ agencies.
The emerald ash borer is a native Asian insect considered to be one of the most destructive tree pests ever seen in North America. The number of confirmed infestations in Iowa has jumped from one to nine counties in just the past year, indicating a significant spread in the state. Once infected, ash trees die within two to four years.
For more information about Greene County Extension and Outreach, including other agriculture and natural resources programming, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/
